2 weeks agoThe Detroit Tigers have interest in starting pitchers who are candidates for one-year deals this offseason, which includes left-hander
Andrew Heaney and right-hander
Kyle Gibson. President of baseball operations Scott Harris tried to sign Heaney in November of 2021 when he was the general managers of the San Francisco Giants. In the last two seasons with the Texas Rangers, Heaney has posted a 4.22 ERA with 310 strikeouts over 307 1/3 frames. Another player Detroit could be watching is right-hander
Michael Soroka, who had a 4.74 ERA with 84 K's and 44 walks over 79 2/3 innings in 25 games (nine starts) for the Chicago White Sox in 2024. In his final 11 games in relief, Soroka was stellar with a 1.84 ERA, 41 K's and only nine walks in 24 1/3 frames. Because free-agent right-hander
Nick Pivetta would require forfeiting draft picks, the Tigers are unlikely to pursue him.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Detroit Free Press - Evan Petzold
2 weeks agoThe Detroit Tigers have interest in signing free-agent right-hander
Walker Buehler this offseason. However, Buehler has the potential to command a two-year deal with an opt-out clause after the first year, which isn't really what the Tigers are looking for. Starting pitching isn't cheap this offseason, and although Buehler struggled in his return from Tommy John surgery in 2024 during the regular season, he's a two-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion. The 30-year-old had a rough 5.38 ERA with 28 walks and 64 strikeouts in 75 1/3 innings (16 starts) for LA in his return from his second Tommy John surgery of his career. Most of his issues came from his fastball velocity being down, but if Buehler can find his fastball again, he could easily be one of the best values on the starting pitching market this offseason. Buehler did toss 10 scoreless innings in his final three games in October.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Detroit Free Press - Evan Petzold
2 weeks agoFree-agent outfielder
Teoscar Hernandez has told people that he prefers to re-sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to a few sources, but he also has long been intrigued by the idea of playing at Fenway Park for the Boston Red Sox. Hernandez is also a fan of Boston manager Alex Cora. The Toronto Blue Jays have also been mentioned as a potential suitor for Hernandez, but it could come down to the Dodgers and Red Sox for his services this winter. It was reported in early December that the 32-year-old and the Dodgers were working on a new deal, but nothing has been finalized, and LA has since signed left-handed-hitting outfielder
Michael Conforto. The Conforto signing shouldn't close the door on a Hernandez reunion with the Dodgers after he helped them win the World Series in his first season in Hollywood. Despite a high strikeout rate, Hernandez was one of the better sluggers in baseball in 2024.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Boston Globe - Pete Abraham
2 weeks agoFree-agent right-hander
Jordan Romano (elbow) agreed to a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday for above his projected salary arbitration number of $7.75 million, according to a source. The deal is pending a physical, which is more important after he was limited to only 15 appearances in 2024 with the Toronto Blue Jays due to a right-elbow injury that required surgery. The 31-year-old right-hander became a free agent when Toronto non-tendered him in November, but Romano quickly finds a new landing spot in the National League and could certainly bounce-back as a high-leverage fantasy arm with one of the best teams in baseball next season if he's past his elbow issues. From 2021 to 2023 with the Jays, Romano was one of the most dominant closers in baseball with a 2.37 ERA, 30.3% strikeout rate and 95 saves. If healthy, he should be Philly's primary ninth-inning guy in 2025.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal
2 weeks agoFree-agent outfielder
Anthony Santander is drawing strong interest from the Blue Jays, Red Sox, and Yankees -- all teams who missed out on the
Juan Soto sweepstakes. Santander is a switch-hitting power hitter who has hit 105 home runs over the last three seasons combined, including a career-high 44 last season. The 30-year-old also set career-best marks for RBI (102), runs scored (91), contact rate (82.2%), and barrel rate (11.7%), with a .345 wOBA and 129 wRC+. The veteran has spent his entire career with Baltimore, so moving to any of those teams would keep him with some familiar company. With no signs of slowing down, he figures to be a strong offensive fantasy option in 2025 drafts, regardless of landing spot.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: Jon Morosi
2
weeks
agoThe
Milwaukee
Brewers
are
"engaged
with
the
White
Sox"
for
the
services
of
pitcher
Garrett
Crochet.
While
other
teams
like
the
Red
Sox,
Cubs,
and
others
have
been
viewed
as
the
likeliest
landing
spots
for
the
lefty,
the
Brewers
could
use
another
strong
starter
read more...
2 weeks agoThe Los Angeles Dodgers are bringing back reliever
Blake Treinen on a two-year, $22 million contract. The 36-year-old had a fantastic season coming out of the 'pen for the Dodgers, recording 16 holds and a save on the back of a 1.93 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and an 11:56 BB:K over 46 2/3 IP. It was a superb bounce-back performance after missing all of 2023 and most of 2022 with a shoulder injury. The 2024 campaign culminated with two-and-a-third innings of one-hit ball in Game 5 of the World Series where he allowed one hit and one walk while striking out three, going down as the winning pitcher in the series finale. For his career, the righty owns a 2.78 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and a 24.8% strikeout rate. For fantasy in 2025, he'll be relevant in any league that rewards holds and could be considered in other leagues were he pressed into a closer role.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: Jeff Passan
2 weeks agoJapanese pitcher Roki Sasaki has officially been posted by the Chiba Lotte Marines of Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan, opening a 45-day window that will allow teams on Tuesday to begin negotiations for the right-hander's services. The 23-year-old, who is considered one of the most talented young pitchers in the world, will have many suitors, although the Dodgers and Padres appear to be the most likely landing spots. Sasaki is coming off a season in which he recorded a 10-5 record with a 2.35 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and 129 strikeouts in 111 innings pitched. His talent will make him very fantasy-relevant in 2025, although it will surely drive up his ADP as well. Teams have until January 23, 2025 to court him.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: Jon Heyman
2 weeks agoAccording to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the New York Mets have signed free-agent outfielder
Juan Soto to a massive 15-year contract worth $765 million. This is the largest deal in professional sports history and will likely keep Soto as a New York Met for the remainder of his professional career. Last season with the New York Yankees, Soto posted a stellar .285/.419/.569 slash line with 41 home runs. He boasted a .462 xwOBA, 19.7% barrel rate, and .646 xSLG, which were among the highest marks in the sport. Throughout his seven-year MLB career, Soto carries a .285/.421/.532 line. Given his incredible hitting skills, he should be viewed as a consensus first-round selection next season and a top pick in points leagues given his incredible eye at the plate.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Jon Heyman
2 weeks agoAccording to Mark Feinsand of the MLB Network, the Los Angeles Dodgers have signed free-agent outfielder
Michael Conforto to a one-year, $17 million contract. The veteran outfielder enjoyed a solid campaign with the Giants last season from a power perspective, holding a .237/.309/.450 slash line with 20 home runs. This was his highest home run total since the 2019 season. Under the hood, the 31-year-old generated a strong .479 xSLG, 11.8% barrel rate, and 46.0% hard-hit rate, all well above the average marks. However, Conforto did carry a hefty 24.2% strikeout rate and a modest 8.6% walk rate. Moving to the Dodgers, fantasy managers should expect Conforto to see an uptick in his counting stats, especially in RBI. Fantasy managers should monitor his status during spring training, as he could be given an everyday role in the starting nine.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Mark Feinsand
2 weeks agoAccording to Jon Morosi of the MLB Network, the New York Mets have signed right-handed pitcher
Oliver Ortega to a minor-league contract. Ortega missed the entire 2024 campaign due to an elbow operation. Before this, Ortega spent the 2023 campaign with the Twins and the 2021 and 2022 campaigns with the Angels. In Minnesota, the 28-year-old logged only 14 2/3 innings at the big league level and held a 4.30 ERA and 1.23 WHIP. During the 2022 campaign, Ortega posted a career-high 34 innings and held a 3.71 ERA and 1.47 WHIP. Through 72 1/3 career innings at Triple-A, Ortega carried a 3.61 ERA and 1.27 WHIP. Fantasy managers should expect Ortega to operate as a low-leverage relief option if he can make the Opening Day Roster.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Jon Morosi
2 weeks agoAccording to Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, the Pirates have signed relief pitcher
Hunter Stratton to a minor-league contract. Stratton spent all of last summer in Steele City but underwent surgery in his left knee in August. Stratton was facing a seven-to-ten-month recovery window at the time of the operation. Through 37 2/3 innings of relief, Stratton held a 3.58 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP. He tallied one save while showing great command with a stellar 4.4% walk rate. He also generated a solid 3.29 xERA and a 31.3% hard-hit rate. He was typically deployed in the eighth inning as and tallied five holds. Fantasy managers should monitor his progression during Spring Training as he could face an uphill battle to be ready for Opening Day, given his tight recovery window.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Andrew Destin
2 weeks agoAccording to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Detroit Tigers have expressed interest in reuniting with free-agent starting pitcher
Jack Flaherty. Flaherty opened the 2024 season with the Tigers but was eventually traded at the deadline to the Los Angeles Dodgers and played a crucial role in helping them win the World Series. However, the Tigers made an incredible run down the stretch and reached the postseason after selling at the trade deadline. Given their late-season success, the Tigers are interested in improving their roster to compete again in 2025. The 29-year-old enjoyed a nice bounce-back campaign last season, holding a 3.17 ERA and 1.07 WHIP across 162 frames. These were his best numbers since the 2021 season. Even though the Tigers have one of the best starting pitchers in baseball leading their rotation in
Tarik Skubal, Flaherty would be a strong No. 2 and put them in a good position to compete in the AL Central.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Ken Rosenthal
2
weeks
agoAccording
to
Phil
Rogers
of
Forbes.com,
Chicago
White
Sox
starting
pitcher
Garrett
Crochet
could
be
a
potential
trade
target
for
the
Baltimore
Orioles
with
them
signing
outfielder
Tyler
O'Neill.
With
O'Neill
added
to
the
roster,
the
Orioles
may
decide
to
read more...
2 weeks agoAccording to Mark Feinsand of the MLB Network, free-agent catcher
Austin Nola and the Colorado Rockies have agreed to a non-roster invite to spring training. Nola spent last season in the Kansas City Royals organization but did not appear in a major league game. He spent most of his summer with Triple-A and held a .174/.260/.298 line and hit just five home runs. In 2023, he logged 52 games in San Diego and held an underwhelming .146/.260/.192 line with just three doubles and one home run. That season, he generated a poor .262 xSLG and .266 xwOBA. Fantasy managers should monitor his progress during Spring Training as he may be able to capture the No.2 catching role. However, Nola should remain off all fantasy radars for now given his struggles in Triple-A last season.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Mark Feinsand
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